General Course Administration Information

"Schedule with Safety" has been the ALPA motto since the birth of our Association in 1931. The pilot safety volunteer is at the heart of our ability to influence government, management, and industry to follow the lead of ALPA in working toward the safest air transport system possible. Training our volunteers is the best investment we can make to ensure that our profession is represented in all aspects of the air transport industry. The safety training courses available to our pilot volunteers are the finest we have ever offered, and through the dedicated work of our safety leaders, this dynamic aspect of representing our members continues to increase in its effectiveness.

The well-trained safety volunteers provide our most effective influence in reducing the hazards that exist within the air transport industry. Over the years, these airmen have literally rewritten the history of aviation safety. Our volunteers will continue to be confident and effective when they are equipped with the solid knowledge and clear leadership that comes from our ALPA safety training courses.

Safety training programs are developed and administered specifically to enhance the effectiveness of pilot air safety representatives within the Air Line Pilots Association, International.

MEC Safety Committee Chairmen (and IFALPA representatives) may invite individuals who are not Association members to attend ALPA safety training courses. These individuals should be representatives from management, government, industry, other employee groups or other individuals directly related to aviation safety or flight operations. Associated travel expenses for these attendees are not the responsibility of ALPA.

Scheduling

MEC Central Air Safety Chairmen may schedule training for members of their pilot group by using the following procedures:

  • Consult the training course schedule for desired course located on this web page
  • Telephone l-888-359-2572 (888-FLY-ALPA), 800-424-2470 (direct into Air Safety) or email the ALPA point of contact listed for the desired course.
  • Request a seat(s) for your pilot volunteer in the course desired, and provide the pilot's name, ALPA number and safety structure position. Please note the prerequisites listed for selected courses.
  • When a seat has been confirmed, immediately notify your pilot volunteer by email, telephone or ASPEN, and then confirm the commitment in writing. (You owe it to your pilot volunteer to provide time for personal planning and scheduling.) Begin early to coordinate with your pilot scheduling committee to help ensure availability of your pilot volunteer for his scheduled training.
  • The ALPA staff will send further information from the appropriate ALPA office, via email, to you and to your pilot volunteer verifying completion of prerequisite training.
  • Pilots who call or email ALPA on their own must still be approved by their Central Air Safety Chairman before being confirmed. It is the responsibility of the pilot to seek approval.

Changes to Course Content

Revisions or additions to the agendas or curricula of ALPA safety volunteer training courses are made at the discretion of the Course Director of that course and with the concurrence of the Training Programs Coordinator and the chairmen of the custodial committees (AIB = AI1&AI2; Safety Council = ALPA 101 FAST, Safety 101 IST, Security 101; and also Aviation Security = Security 101).).

Parties not directly associated with the course in question may recommend changes to agendas or curricula by observing the following protocol:

  • A written proposal with justification will be presented to the Training Programs Coordinator, Course Director or chairman of the custodial committee.
  • The Training Programs Coordinator will coordinate with all interested parties to thoroughly discuss all aspects of the proposal.
  • A detailed plan of implementation must be approved by the Training Programs Coordinator, the Course Director and the chairman of the custodial committee before changes are incorporated.
  • Appropriate lead-time must be considered to allow ALPA staff to effect required support associated with any changes.

Non-ALPA Pilot Groups

Use of ALPA training resources by IFALPA and non-ALPA pilot groups are authorized by using the following procedure:

The president of the requesting organization should send a letter to the ALPA president requesting authorization to participate in a specific course for specific individuals. Participation by non-ALPA members should result in no expense to the Association.